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I was born in Christchurch, New Zealand and for the last two years I have been living in Granity, north of Westport. My 20 year background in Graphic Art and my training as a Tui’na massage therapist in the traditional Chinese discipline inform my work. I have travelled extensively and the exposure to indigenous art and culture I experienced then, and now through literature and other images, has guided and influenced me greatly. 16 years ago I began working with clay. Alongside my own practice, I run fun filled and lively weekend workshops where I teach people to sculpt in clay and to make musical clay drums. One of the unexpected pleasures of teaching is the way I am able to use it to rediscover who I am as an artist. Working with clay is a meditative process which encourages reflection and introspection. I hand build with large coils of clay, scraping back to create a grainy, textured surface with which to enhance the eventual layering of glazes, stains and oxides. The elemental aspect of clay work fascinates me ~ the effect that water, air and fire has when combined with earth reminds me of the alchemical process which transforms elements into a precious and permanently altered substance. There is also magic and unpredictability when opening the electric kiln I fire in. The transformation created by the firing is always a source of rich learning and immense pleasure.